James Royce Shannon, born James Royce on May 13, 1881, in Adrian, Michigan, was an Irish-American composer and lyricist who gained prominence during the Tin Pan Alley era. He is best known for writing the lyrics to "The Missouri Waltz," which became the state song of Missouri, and for composing the song "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" ("Irish Lullaby"). The latter gained significant popularity when featured in the film "Going My Way," performed by Bing Crosby, and reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling over a million copies.

Shannon began his musical career collaborating with his mother, Eliza Shannon. His first major success was "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral," composed for Chauncey Olcott's musical "Shameen Dhu," which debuted in New York City in 1914. Throughout his career, Shannon resided mainly in Detroit, where he owned a theatrical company that toured the U.S. and Europe. He also managed a chain of music stores in Michigan, served as assistant manager for Detroit's Majestic Theatre, and worked as a drama critic for the Detroit Free Press.

Shannon's contributions to music include a variety of works, such as "Dixie Lou" (1913), "Hush-a-Bye, Ma Baby: The Missouri Waltz" (1916), and "Where That Ragtime River Flows" (1912). He passed away on May 19, 1946, in Pontiac, Michigan, and is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac.